Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Regional Chamber has announced it will host a mayoral debate for the city of Detroit during the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference. Scheduled for Thursday, May 29, at 5:30 p.m., the event will take place in the Grand Hotel’s Tea Garden Tent. The debate is open to all conference registrants and credentialed media without any additional cost. Detroit PBS, the Chamber's broadcast partner, will livestream the debate on both its platform and the Chamber’s website. A recording will be available post-event. Moderators for the debate are journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson.

The Mackinac Policy Conference provides an opportunity for mayoral candidates to present their visions to leaders across business, philanthropy, education, and civic sectors in Michigan.

Due to limitations in time and space, not all candidates can participate in this event. The selection process was managed by the Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC), which consists of senior business leaders associated with the Chamber. The PAC considered factors such as fundraising capabilities, polling data, endorsements, leadership experience, and members' perspectives on candidates. No single criterion dominated their decision-making process.

The candidates invited to participate are James Craig, Fred Durhal III, Saunteel Jenkins, Solomon Kinloch Jr., and Mary Sheffield. Invitations do not imply endorsement by the Chamber. Plans regarding an endorsement process will be announced later this year.

Further details about the debate format will be provided soon.